Any computer geeks around?

[BooScout]

I need help. My laptop has Windows Vista (Don't tell me, I know Vista sucks, but the laptop was free so what can I say).

Anyway, DH had to upgrade Adobe to the 9.1 version a couple of months ago to download a PDF file of some sort.........and it hasn't worked since. I can't open anything in PDF.

I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it and it still won't work. I tried to install Adobe 8.0 but can't seem to do that anymore. Adobe Support is worthless and I can't seem to find anyone who in plain simple language can tell me how to fic the problem or even if there is a fix.

Anyone? Or should I just toss the laptop out the window and go an get a new one without Vista?

[leeroysphitz]

1. Uninstal any Adobe Pdf software you may still have and then install the Foxit reader.

From here: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

It is a free alternative to adobe with less bloat and a some handy mark up features that adobe makes you pay for. The sit and the download are3 legit and virus free. I use this myself.

Install it, set as default and you should be fine. If you are using firefox you may have to go into tools and tell firefox to use foxit as the default program to read pdf.

[BooScout]

3. I looked at Foxit last night.....

This may be a stupid question.......but I got the impression that I could not print with Foxit, only read. Am I wrong?

[leeroysphitz]

5. Foxit prints.

[BooScout]

6. Thank you.......

I'll be downloading it tonight. I am really not happy with Adobe or for that matter Vista at this point.

[Franzia]

2. Foxit is good, and I used it for a couple years, but I have since switched to PDF Exchange Viewer.

It is free, it works on Vista, and it has the advantage of a functional typewriter tool (which the last version of Foxit I used didn't have). You can also download the portable version and run it from a USB stick or from a folder on your desktop, etc, if you don't wish to install the program.

PDF Exchange Viewer

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. Check out the Computer forum

here at DU - crosspost your OP to that place.

The people there are marvelous. Saved my life and my sanity a few months ago when I picked up a virus that hadn't even been identified by McAfee yet - they walked me through the diagnosis and the cure.

I love those folks. Ask them. I am positive they'll help you.

And good luck..............................

[Pool Hall Ace]

7. I like PDF XChange viewer

Like you, I run Vista (and agree it's crap). PDF XChange viewer takes up a lot less space than Adobe, and has terrific features. You can mark up, annotate, and type directly on a PDF document. And it's free!

Check it out: http://pdf-xchange-viewer.en.softonic.com/

It's easy to download, and has never given me a bit of trouble.

I learned about it from the great folks in the Computer forum here. I agree, you need to check them out, too! :D

[jakeXT]

8. I've heard that if you want to go back to XP you have to build your CD

because of the drivers for the hard-drives .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NLite_and_vLite

But I guess that it should work with Laptops, 2.5" hard-drives are still IDE and not Serial-ATA, or not?

[hobbit709]

9. Not necessarily

Most newer laptops have SATA drives. Sometimes there's an option in the BIOS to let it pretend it's really an IDE until you get XP installed. If not go to the manufacturer web site and download the driver-which most of the time only builds to a floppy. When Windows asks for any third party drivers, hit F6 and install the driver. There are ways around it.